FCA Authorisations & Regulatory Returns
If you have decided to become authorised and would like us to help you, please contact us and we will discuss the process and cost with you.
We have a guide which we can send you on the process but it is worth speaking to us first so we can outline what the process is and give you an idea of what’s involved according to your business model and plans.
Applying for authorisation by the FCA is not just a question of filling out a few application forms.
The applications can be complex and time consuming. There are many different forms to complete and not all are relevant for every application.
We will help you identify the forms you need to complete and assist you to fill them in correctly, answer your questions and guide you through the process.
In addition to completing the application form, the FCA also expects you to have documented compliance systems and procedures in place when you submit the forms.
This includes procedures for ensuring you treat your customers fairly, training your staff, handling complaints, financial procedures (including handling client money), managing the risks of financial crime and having robust business continuity/disaster recovery procedures.
How long it takes to become FCA authorised depends a great deal on how quickly you can gather the required information, and if sent in to the FCA incomplete or lack of clarity, then it could delay the application going through by many months.
Call our team today if you would like to discuss and to find out how we can help you.
Tel 0161 870 6637 or email tracy@createsolutions.co.uk for a copy of our guide on applying for FCA authorisation.
We have many years of experience in completing and submitting the many types of applications. Here are just some of the types of applications we can help with:
- Applying to be an Authorised Firm on Connect
- Applying to be, amending or deleting an Approved Person or SMF Manager
- Applying to be, amending or deleting an Appointed Representative or Introducer Appointed Representative
- Retail Mediation Activities Return (RMAR) on RegData
- Statements of Responsibility for new and updated SMF approvals
- Applying for permission for a change in control
- Applying for a variation of permission
- Annual firm details attestation
- Notification of a breach of the Code of Conduct (COCON) by an SMF Manager or a Certified member of staff
- Claims Management Company Regulatory Returns
- Appointed Representative Due Diligence
- Cancellation of authorisation
- Withdrawal of application
We have used the services of Create Solutions for a number of years, and the team are always on hand to provide the necessary guidance, whether in relation to minor day to day queries, changes to our business which require notification to the regulator, or adapting our business to accommodate the significant regulatory changes which have impacted on us over the past couple of years. The ongoing programme of training/workshops provide further invaluable support for the business and our staff
Over the last 10 years, Mike Cranny and the team at Create Solutions have provided an invaluable service on a wide range of compliance issues which we face in our day to day business operations. With so many legislative changes taking shape in the wider UK insurance market, I would recommend anyone who is in need of guidance to seek out their advice.
Create Solutions are our constant in the ever changing world of FCA regulation. Fifteen years ago, they took the time to understand our business to enable them to provide the practical and proportionate solutions we needed to ensure our compliance and they have continued to deliver all our compliance needs ever since. Their patience, professionalism and knowledge is all delivered with genuine friendliness and enthusiasm. They make the world of compliance less painful and remain a pleasure to deal with.
We have been using Create Solutions for several years and find the services they are offer are invaluable to our busy brokerage. The Workout modules 1 & 2 tick all the boxes for staff training, not to mention helping towards CPD. With the changes in regulations over the past couple of years they have made the process easy to understand and to implement both through their workshops and additional help. Would highly recommend to any brokerage, their team are always available offering help and assistant.
We have used the services of Create Solutions for many years and the support we receive is invaluable to our business. There are times when we just need guidance to a relatively small query or more complicated situations such a change of Director within the company. Whatever is needed Create Solutions work with us to find the answers. They truly understand the complexities of the FCA and how this needs managing within a busy brokerage. I would recommend them to any broker as they reduce the worry of compliance and nothing is ever too much trouble.
Internal changes over the last twelve months led us to engage with the full service offered from Create Solutions. Their immediate compliance assistance, update on regulatory matters and training courses/ workshops over the year have been invaluable to us as a business in this ever changing regulatory environment. From a personal point of view, without having Create at the end of the phone for the last twelve months , I can’t imagine the additional work it would have caused me.
In the midst of increasing regulatory change, we took the decision to engage with Create over 2 years ago. Since then they have, provided quality compliance support to us when we need it, continually kept us informed of regulatory matters that we need to be aware of and have also helped us to establish a more solid compliance framework for the future. Pro-active compliance is their business…